APPLICATION OF CORONA DISCHARGE TO MODIFY THE SURFACE LAYER OF POLYESTER TEXTILES

摘要

The results of investigations of the effects of corona discharge,generated by a tool set (PZU) constructed by us to modify the surface layers of polymeric textiles,on the properties of surface layer of polyester (PET) fabric are presented. The effects of unit energy (E_j) of corona discharge on the following factors were evaluated: contact angle and surface free energy (Table 1),capillarity (Fig. 1),dyeability with a test dye (Table 2,Fig. 2),acidic groups' amount (Fig. 3),oxygen content at a surface layer (Fig. 4) and changes of geometrical structures of the fibers' surfaces of a material tested (Fig. 5). It was found that corona discharge coming from PZU caused a significant improvement in wettability,increase in surface free energy,especially its polar component,and growth in capillarity of the fabric modified. The corona discharge stimulated also the formation of acidic groups and increase in oxygen content in the surface layer. It also caused a significant specific surface development of a fiber without visible deterioration of mechanical strength. The investigations results confirmed that the design and functional quality of our corona discharge set were appropriate and the set made possible the modification of the fibers without substantial damages of the fibers of material modified.